EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Senators Survive Squirrels in Finale, 9-7

Published on July 8, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


HARRISBURG, PA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels erased a 6-0 deficit only to have their hearts broken by the Harrisburg Senators, 9-7, in front of 2,996 on Thursday night at Metro Bank Park. The win gave the Senators the series victory as well, having taken three-of-four from the Squirrels.

The Squirrels led 7-6 into the bottom of the eighth inning after storming back, but the Senators scored three times in the eighth to rescue the ballgame. All the damage was done against Richmond righty Daniel Turpen (4-5), who took the loss for the Squirrels. With one out, Turpen conceded a single to Michael Martinez and walked Tim Pahuta. Jhonatan Solano followed with a lengthy at-bat that culminated in an RBI double off the wall in right field that tied the game, 7-7. Edgardo Baez then cracked a two-run single to right-center field to cap the scoring, 9-7.

Squirrels' right-hander Michael Main got the Senators started in the first inning when he hit Danny Espinosa with an 0-2 pitch with one out. Marvin Lowrance was then walked by Main to put two aboard. Chris Marrero followed and cranked a three-run home run to left field for a 3-0 Harrisburg lead.

The Senators were back at it in the third as Espinosa recorded a single off Main with one out. Main walked Lowrance again, and Marrero drove in Espinosa with a single for a 4-0 lead. Lowrance moved to third on the single and scored on a sacrifice fly to right field from Jesus Valdez.

Lowrance drove in a sixth run for the Senators against Main in the fifth and Main was lifted after 4 1/3 innings. He allowed six runs -- all earned -- on five hits. He walked three, hit another and struck out none in his second start as a Squirrel.

All the while, Harrisburg lefty Aaron Thompson was cruising. He allowed just two singles as he blanked Richmond for the first six innings.

However, the Squirrels finally got to Thompson in the seventh, plating three runs to cut the lead in half, 6-3. Thomas Neal got the rally started with a one-out single. Brad Boyer doubled behind him to put two aboard for Conor Gillaspie. Gillaspie sent a two-run triple into the right-field corner to put Richmond on the board. Tyler La Torre brought in Gillaspie with a groundout as the Squirrels closed to 6-3.

Richmond completed the comeback with four runs in the eighth inning as they raced ahead against a pair of Senators' relievers. Hassan Pena walked both Darren Ford and Nick Noonan before being replaced by Jack Spradlin. The lefty promptly gave up an RBI double to Brandon Belt as the Squirrels pulled within two runs. Ryan Lormand followed and sent a single into right field that Jesus Valdez misplayed. As the ball got behind him, both runners scored to tie the game and Lormand raced all the way to third. Gillasie singled Lormand in as Richmond took the lead, 7-6.

Joe Bisenius (1-0) earned the win for the Senators, facing and retiring just one batter in the eighth inning. Adam Carr worked a scoreless ninth inning for his second save of the season.

The Squirrels will travel to Altoona, PA to open a four-game series against the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates) on Friday night at 7:05 PM at Blair County Ballpark. RHP Felix Romero (1-1, 3.96) will make the start for Richmond against RHP Jared Hughes (10-5, 4.21) for Altoona.

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Eastern League Stories from July 8, 2010


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